but john kerry is playing mitt romney in these mock sessions. he's been spotted in the president's hotel, reading glasses on, pile of papers in front of him as if he's really studying hard, trying to press the president, push some of his buttons in these debate sessions. the president trying to project a kind of calm, cool attitude, i suppose, carrying some pizzas in to his volunteers' office here in the local area in nevada yesterday to talk to them, fire up the troops, if you will. and then the president picked up a cell phone and started calling some of the volunteers. take a listen. >> that was very nice, you know? we're, you know, although basically they're keeping me indoors all the time. it's a drag. [laughter] they're making me do my homework. [laughter] >> reporter: the president says he's doing his homework there. interesting because what his staff is trying to do in their conversations with us over the last 24 or 48 hours is really down play expectations by say, boy, the president hasn't debated in four years, mitt romney got all that